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Mar 18, 2022 8 tweets 3 min read Read on X
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The 4-4-2 explained... 4️⃣4️⃣2️⃣
4-4-2 is made up of three distinct lines. The back four including two centre-backs and two full-backs. Ahead of them, a midfield four features two players in the middle and one on each side. Then the front two in attack who provide both height and goalscoring threat... 4️⃣4️⃣2️⃣🧵
In the 1950s, Viktor Maslov developed another variation of the 4-2-4, in which the two wingers dropped back alongside the two central midfielders. So originated the 4-4-2, which worked to overload opposition midfields with traditionally fewer numbers... 4️⃣4️⃣2️⃣🧵
In a 4-4-2, the two wide players in the midfield unit attack around the opposition back line to provide crosses for the two centre-forwards, or cut inside and combine with shorter passes. They can also run inside and beyond as one of the two front players rotates out... 4️⃣4️⃣2️⃣🧵
The centre-forwards screen in front of the opposition pivots, and press the back line. As the wide midfielders drop alongside the two central midfielders to form a flat four, this unit aims to maintain a compact distance between the front line and the back four... 4️⃣4️⃣2️⃣🧵
Sir Alex Ferguson favoured a 4-4-2 with wide midfielders who could attack around a defensive line and cross, but also drift into the inside channels to combine with box-to-box midfielders supporting the attack... 4️⃣4️⃣2️⃣🧵
Diego Simeone has favoured a 4-4-2 throughout his tenure at Atlético Madrid. Defensively, he prefers a mid or low block, focusing on compactness between his units (below) and controlling matches through covering key spaces in Atlético’s own half... 4️⃣4️⃣2️⃣🧵
Sean Dyche has utilised a 4-4-2 to defend in mid and low blocks throughout his time in the Premier League, with versatile defenders able to cover a variety of spaces in their half – an approach he shares with Simeone... 4️⃣4️⃣2️⃣🧵

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More from @CoachesVoice

Sep 23
New tactical analysis thread 🧵

Our UEFA-licensed coaches have analysed the tactics from yesterday's dramatic heavyweight fixture at the Etihad... 🌶️🧐

🔋 @Wyscout

#MCFC • #Arsenal

bit.ly/3MXapKO
Manchester City’s 4-3-3 started on the front foot as Arsenal initially attempted to press into the host’s half, in a 4-4-2 shape. Arsenal went player-oriented in the wide areas, with Declan Rice and Thomas Partey tracking Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gündogan’s forward runs. However, Silva’s wide runs to City’s right-side created space for Savinho to drive inside, penetrating against the aggressive jumping of Arsenal’s left-back, Calafiori. This helped disrupt and stretch Arsenal’s back line in the early stages, including when Haaland was slid in-behind to calmly open the scoring... 🧐🧵Image
It wasn’t long before Arsenal formed a low block, while City responded with a 3-1-5-1 shape. Josko Gvardiol moved into a left-side number eight role from full-back, with Gündogan as the central option underneath Haaland. Rodri – soon to be replaced by Kovacic – acted as the single pivot. Still, it was City’s right side that proved most potent, with Silva’s wider positioning supporting Savinho’s direct movements and dribbles against Calafiori... 🧐🧵Image
Read 9 tweets
Sep 19
Thread 🧵

The key points of a 4-2-3-1... 4️⃣2️⃣3️⃣1️⃣🧐
Stemming from tweaks to the 4-4-2 formation, and initially most popular in Spain, the 4-2-3-1 grew in popularity from the 2000s onwards. It has since been used with success by many prominent coaches, including Pep Guardiola, Arne Slot and Erik ten Hag... 4️⃣2️⃣3️⃣1️⃣🧵
Central protection...

The 4-2-3-1 requires defensive midfielders who can duel, tackle and intercept in individual battles. These midfielders must be alert enough to land on any second balls. They must have good acceleration and deceleration to help with this... 4️⃣2️⃣3️⃣1️⃣🧵 Image
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Oct 19, 2023
Thread 🧵

Ange Postecoglou back at school... 🇦🇺👨‍🏫

#THFC Image
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Nov 28, 2022
Fresh analysis thread 🙌

How Spain and Germany’s changes in attack cancelled each other out in an intriguing tactical battle between Luis Enrique and Hansi Flick... 🧐🧵

🔋 @Wyscout

#ESP#GER
Spain used a 4-3-3 structure and built play patiently from the back, despite Germany pressing aggressively from their 4-2-3-1. They moved the ball around the back line to isolate Thomas Müller, before a centre-back stepped out with the ball into midfield... 🧐🧵 Image
Olmo continued to move inside and Asensio dropped deep, in the process pulling Süle out of his position in Germany’s back line. This helped Spain to build out from the back and get around Germany’s increasingly effective high press... 🧐🧵 Image
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Oct 21, 2022
Thread 🧵

Inverted full-backs explained... ↩️🧐
Traditionally, full-backs are the widest players in a back four, and as a result they attack and defend mostly in the wide areas. However, full-backs who move inside into central spaces are known as ‘inverted full-backs’. This movement adds an extra presence centrally... ↩️🧐 Image
Although Pep Guardiola is the coach most associated with the inverted full-back, Johan Cruyff used them with Barcelona many years before. Then, he often converted the 4-3-3 into a 3-4-3 diamond, with one full-back inverting into central midfield... ↩️🧐 Image
Read 8 tweets
Oct 20, 2022
Fresh analysis thread 🙌

How Manchester United's midfield movements and Bruno Fernandes’ central influence helped them beat Tottenham to go fifth... 🧐🧵

🔋 @Wyscout

#MUFC#MUNTOT
Manchester United were set up in a 4-2-3-1 shape, but Fred pushed forward from the double pivot to become a number 8 and give them a stronger attacking presence in central midfield. Bruno Fernandes then adapted his positioning, moving into the left inside channel... 🧐🧵 Image
The hosts eventually pushed both full-backs higher, primarily working around the outside of Tottenham’s wing-backs. United’s wingers then came inside, with the freedom to rotate with Fred and Fernandes, as long as both inside channels were always occupied... 🧐🧵 Image
Read 6 tweets

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